The St. Louis ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCERS

WHAT IS ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING?

English country dancing involves lines of men facing lines of women (but sometimes we dance in squares and an occasional circle).   The dancers walk patterns with their partners and with other couples in the set.   Our dance leader is Peter Wollenberg, and all dances are taught from scratch each evening.
 
This type of dancing is not only enjoyed by thousands of people around the world in the 21st Century, it was also enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th Century, and has been celebrated in the Regency Era novels of Jane Austen in the 19th Century.

Beginners are welcome at all events!   Each dance evening starts at 7:00 with a beginners' workshop so that newcomers can learn the fundamentals of English country dancing.

Click here to read the Folkfire Article about our group

The St. Louis English Country Dancers are members of CDSS, the Country Dance and Song Society.

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WHEN DO THE ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCERS MEET?

The group usually dances twice a month: on the second Friday night of the month, and again on the fourth Monday night of the month.

NOTE: Those bringing snacks to dancing will earn the thanks of all and sundry.

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WHERE DO THE ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCERS MEET?

All dances, regardless of location, start with a workshop that begins promptly at 7:00 PM,
followed by dancing from 7:30-9:30.   The workshop is the time for new and semi-new dancers to learn steps and moves.

We dance on THE SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.   Usually this will be at the Brentwood Congregational United Church of Christ in Brentwood, Missouri.   The address is 2400 S. Brentwood Boulevard; the church is on the east side of Brentwood, at the intersection which is both Eulalie (to the east) and Litzsinger (to the west).

Workshop at 7:00 PM; dancing from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at Brentwood Congregational.

Click on the button for a map to Brentwood Congregational:

We dance on the FOURTH MONDAY OF THE MONTH.   Usually this will be at the Focal Point Arts Center in Maplewood, Missouri (a first-ring suburb of St. Louis).   Focal Point is near the intersection of Big Bend and Manchester Road.   The street address is: 2720 Sutton Blvd. (1 block south of Manchester Road) in Maplewood.

Workshop at 7:00 PM; dancing from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM at Focal Point.

Click on the button for a map to Focal Point:

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WHAT IS THE COST FOR DANCING?

Cost is $7.00 per person, with a student rate of $5.00.

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WHO ARE THE MUSICIANS?

Live Music for every dance evening by the Original Speckled Band.
Members of the band are:

• Jennifer Coalson - bass
• Colleen Johnson - flute, tinwhistle
• Rebecca Mayer - bass
• Charles Mullen - recorders
• Paul Ovaitt - mandolin, guitar, recorder, bodhran
• Paul Stamler - guitar, resophonic guitar

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Wear comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes.
You can come with or without a partner.

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WHO CAN I CONTACT?

Please call Paul Stamler at (314) 664-9207 for more information or
send Paul an email (pstamler@pobox.com).

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WHAT ANNUAL EVENTS DOES THE GROUP SPONSOR?

There is an Olde Christmas Grand Dance every Winter, and a Playford Ball every Spring.
 
In 2008, the Playford Ball was held on Saturday, May 3rd.

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HOW ABOUT SOME ADDITIONAL DANCE LINKS?

LOCAL LINKS:
    St. Louis Folkfire Magazine
    Focal Point Arts Center
    Dance Discovery
    Highland Mist Scottish Country Dancers (St. Louis)

REGIONAL LINKS:
    Champaign IL English Country Dancers
    Fairfield IA Folk Art and Dance Co-op
    Madison WI English Country Dancers

NATIONAL LINKS:
    Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS)
    English Country Dancing Around the USA
    NEFFA English Country Dance Link Fest
    ECD Mailing List Archives

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HOW DO I GET ON THE ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE MAILING LIST?

To get on our mailing list, just send an email (with name, email address, US Mail address, phone number) to Paul (pstamler@pobox.com)

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